Gantry crane



Nov. 11, 924. 1,515,023

a. F. FITCH GANTRY CRANE Original Filed July 14, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1,.JZ2v Mavraza 1a; V34 AW GANTRY CRANE Original Filed July 14. 1920 4Sheets-Sheet 2 I flaw I 4 VW W' mmal,

Nov. 11 ,1924 1,515,023

B. F. FITCH GANTRY QRANE' Original Filed July 14 1920 '4 Sheets-SheetNov. 11, 1924. 1,515,023

B. F. FITCH GANTHY CRANE Original Filed July 14 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Iglwuemtol,

76am, Mm

preferably extends across the top of the crane and longitudinallythereof for operating a set of bevel gears 16 to drive another pair ofwheels on the opposite track.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, the main crane comprises a fabricatedrectangular structure or frame, having longitudinal members 20 and 21,and end transverse memhers 22 and 9.3 respectively. The longitudinalmembers are preferably angle bars positioned back to back, while thetransverse members may be channels which are attached to the ends of thelongitudinal beams. The longitudinal members may be positioned at thetop of the gantry legs and rigidly secured thereto. To preventdeflection of the longitudinal beams, I provide a truss having u-p perchords 24 and 25, purlins 9.6, and reinforcing members 27. The lowerends of the upper chords are preferably secured to the ends of thelongitudinal members which form the lower chords by suitable gussetplates. The purlins extend transversely of the frame, and are rigidlysecured to the upper chords, thus providing a suitable foundation forreceiving a roof covering. I

To provide overhead tracks for supporting the supplemental frame whichtravels transversely of the direct-ion in which the main frame operates,I have shown a series of separated plates and 31 which project in\*ardly from the base of the lower chords. These plates may be reinforcedpreferably by angles 32 and 33 which are positioned below the lowerchords and rigidly secured thereto. Then, extending across the top ofthese plates I may provide I-beam supporting members 34 and 35, whichcarry tracks 36 and 37 respectively. Traveling on the overhead tracks 36and 37. I provide a supplemental frame which moves longitudinally of themain frame, and therefore transversely of the freight platform.

The supplemental frame may comprise longitudinal members 40 and 41withtransverse end beams 42 and 43 respectively. Intermediate these endbeams I may provide transverse beams 44 and 45 which provide bearingsurfaces for wheels 46 and 47 traveling on the overhead tracks. To movethe supplemental frame along the overhead trackway I provide pinions 48and 49 intermediate gears on the wheels 46 and 47 and attached to theshaft 50. This shaft may berotated by a motor 53. Suitable controlmechanism (not shown) is provided for operating the motor, and amechanical brake may be attached to the motor to re tard supplementalmotion of the frame when the frame is disconnected. Intermediate thebeams may support a pair of reinforcing members 56 and 57, which in turnsupport the motor for operating the hoisting mechanism, as will behereinafter described.

The hoisting mechanism may comprise a pair of winding drums 58 and 59which are carried on a shaft 60 and are supported thereon adjacent thelongitudinal beams 40 and 41. This shaft may be rotated through a. gear61 and pinion 62 by a motor 63. The hoisting elements are preferablyembodied in pairs of cables 64 and 65, which extend outwardly from thedrums 58 and 59 respectively, and pass over sheaves 66 and 67 which arerespectively mounted on the transverse beams 54and 55. The lower ends ofthe cables may be provided with any suitable load engaging means, but Iprefer to employ loops 68 and 69 which are adapted to engage hooks 70and 71 on the truck bodies. The cables are so arranged on the windingdrums that a movement of the drums in one direction will wind in all ofthe cables, while a movement in the opposite direction will pay out allof the cables. Obviously, when the cables are wound in, the loaddepending therefrom will be raised, and when the cable is payed out theload will be lowered.

Suitable control cables 72 and 73 may depend from the supplemental framewhereby an operator may readily control the movement of the frame andhoisting elements, from a position on a freight platform.

It should be noted that a crane constructed accordin to my invention notonly provides a si'ibstantial cantilever construction which enables thesupplemental frame to move beyond either longitudinally extending track,but that each end is entirely open between the vertical legs, enabling along vehicle body to bemoved sidewise through such open ends, eithersubstantially at the level of the truck or train floor or high enough topass over a body on the platform.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: l

1. The combination with a main frame, of four independent supportingmembers there for, bridge members carried by the support ing members,trackway carried by the bridge members, and extending beyond saidsupporting members, there being one track carried by each member, asupplemental frame traveling on said tracltway, and tran verse beamsconnecting said bridge members beyond the ends of the trackway.

2. The combination with a traveling main frame having a plurality ofsupporting members therefor, of two spaced bridge members carriedby'the' supporting members, a track carried by each bridge member on theinner side thereof, a supplemental frame travelmg on said tracks andtransverse beams connecting said bridge members beyond the ends of saidtracks, whereby the space between the bridge members and connectingmeans is entirely free for load transporting purposes.

3. The combination with a traveling frame having a plurality ofsupporting members therefor adjacent the four corners of a rectangle, anoverhead trackway carried by the supporting members and overhanging theends thereof, said supporting members providing an open runway from topto bottom, and triangular braces outside the runway for reinforcing thesupporting members, said braces facing outwardly whereby an openvertical runway is provided between said supporting members.

4. The combination with a trackway, of four supporting members therefor,each member comprising a triangular support substantially in thevertical plane of the trackway and having an inner vertical leg, aninclined outer leg and a base adjacent the trackway, wheels mounted oneach base, a longitudinal member on each side connecting the two bases,and an overhead transverse track connecting the tops of the foursupports and supported thereabove.

5. The combination with a platform, of tracks carried thereby andextending longitudinally thereof, wheels on said tracks, a plurality ofsupporting members rising from the wheels, means extendinglongitudinally of the tracks and between the supporting members,transverse connecting means, comprising purlins, means connecting thebottoms of two supporting members over the same track, and positionedbelow the surface of the platform.

6. In a traveling frame, the combination with a station platform, oftracks carried thereon and extending longitudinally thereof, 'wheelsadapted to be moved on said tracks, the tops of said wheels being belowthe surface of the platform, four supporting members riding on thewheels, connecting means between the supporting members comprisingtrusses, a motor mounted on one of the trusses, a shaft connected withthe motor and extendmg transversely of the platform,

and gearing connecting each end of the shaft with some of said wheels,whereby the frame may be moved.

7. The combination with a frame, of a plurality of supporting memberstherefor,

porting members therefor, each supporting member having two sets ofwheels, one of said sets being carried by the toe of the supportingmember, and the other of said sets being carried by the heel of thesupporting member, said wheels being adapted to ride on the trackway.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

BENJAMIN F. FITCH.

